Edmond's much-loved holiday light spectacle, Luminance, will illuminate Mitch Park once again with its grand opening scheduled for November 21. This year, Edmond Parks and Recreation steps up as the presenting sponsor, bringing two new interactive displays to the mix - an Ornament chair and a Gift Box chair that visitors wouldn't want to miss. The free, walk-thru event promises an enchanting experience for all, with its colorful 3D lighted displays dotting the paths and pavilions from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily until January 1, as reported by the City of Edmond's official release.
From humble beginnings back in 2017 with only a couple of displays, Luminance has grown to become Oklahoma's largest 3D walk-through holiday light display. According to Casey Moore, Director of Management Services for the City of Edmond, the event, which now draws over 80,000 visitors, owes its success to community partners who realized that "We looked around and knew we had to do more, and we were fortunate enough to have some partners from the community step up and help make that happen." The support from entities such as the Edmond Chamber of Commerce and the Edmond Economic Development Authority has been instrumental since the official start of the event in 2018. That year, only 20 displays were featured, a stark comparison to today's offering.
The festivities kick off at 4 p.m. near the baseball fields on the park's east side, with a lineup including entertainment by the Edmond Children's Choir & Oklahoma Youth Arts, an official light turning on ceremony slated for 5:15 p.m., and photos with Santa from 6 to 8 p.m. Moreover, Dynamic Skies is set to dazzle with its now-annual drone light show at 6:45 p.m. Emily Harmon, the Parks and Recreation Marketing Coordinator, emphasized the addition of new displays for the year. "The new displays will add an interactive element to the event, with one being an Ornament chair and the other being a Gift Box chair," she told the City of Edmond.
Merry Marketplace, a staple of the Luminance experience, opens during the celebration and again on December 13, offering visitors a chance to indulge in some holiday shopping. In a unique twist this year, the event will include Merry Movie Night, featuring films "Frozen" and "A Christmas Story," for some family-friendly entertainment. An additional special event, Merry Market Morning, invites kids to decorate cookies with Mrs. Claus on December 6. "It is truly an honor to be a part of Luminance and continue to bring this amazing gift to the community and park visitors for the holiday season," concluded Harmon in a statement obtained by the City of Edmond.
Edmond Electric developed the original concept for Luminance, and the event has since expanded with additional community partners. Edmond Chamber President and CEO Sherry Jordan said early planning identified the project as both a seasonal attraction and an opportunity to highlight the city. Visit Edmond Tourism Director Jennifer Thornton noted that the walk-through light displays provide a more engaging alternative to drive-by shows. The event continues to add new programming each year.
